Content Warning: Bullying, War, Trauma/PTSD, Emotional/Physical Abuse, Self-Harm, Violent Content, Depression. Reader discretion is advised

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction, as none of the content is my original work. The characters are created by Stephen King and J.R.R Tolkien. The content belongs to MGM and Screen Gems, as the 2013 film remake of Carrie was directed by Kimberly Pierce and produced by Kevin Misher, and additional production is through MGM, Screen Gems, and Misher films as well as distributed by Sony Pictures releasing.

Supper

The longer Carrie was in Rivendell, the more she felt she was constantly being watched. No matter what move she made there was one elf keeping an eye on her and it made her nervous and uneasy. The only moment of privacy she had was when she bathed in a sheltered pool of water among hanging willow trees, a silk maroon gown left for her. Carrie did not realize how filthy she was from the journey until she was able to slip on the gown after she cleaned up. The smooth silk against her skin made her feel close to a princess. The thought of it made her smile a little in sadness, thinking of how princess-like she felt at prom.

The bittersweet nostalgia was enough to bring tears to her eyes until she composed herself, knowing crying was not going to help. Not when she’s determined to get answers from both Gandalf and Thorin about everything that transpired lately. In her mind, she felt it was fair considering how she’s been left in the dark since the moment she arrived. Nothing in any of this made sense when she considered Radagast’s warning, what the orc called her, or how the elves are treating her with suspicion and wariness, like a terrorist. It made her frustrated and tired of the position she was in. Thorin’s behavior around Carrie was the icing on top of the cake that was not making things easier on her.

However, she had to think and strategize before confronting Gandalf and Thorin. The last thing she needed was to make matters worse by causing a scene. Carrie White then decided to do the one thing that made her survive most of high school: stay silent and polite. It kept her motivated as she ascended the stairs to the dining room where most of the dwarves had beaten her to a table with what looked like salad set aside.

“Try it, just a mouthful,” Dori insisted to the reluctant Ori who was too busy staring at the piece of lettuce to notice Carrie being late to dinner. Carrie had to resist rolling her eyes at Ori refusing to eat ‘green food’. If any of the dwarves had tried that in her house with mama, they would not have lasted long. Carrie was able to slip in as quietly as possible while the dwarves were busy being disgusted with the food or too busy making fun of the elves playing music on the harp and flute. Carrie shook her head in disapproval until a bowl of lettuce and mixed mushrooms was handed to her by one of the elves. She gave a polite nod and a quiet ‘thank you’, and began to nibble on her food.

If there was one thing about the elves here in Rivendell she had to admit: they knew how to make the best salad. Enjoying the food almost made her forget her mission until she glanced over to see Thorin handing his sword over to Lord Elrond. She began to eavesdrop, hearing Elrond call the blade “Orcrist” before a gentle hand touching her arm made her jump.

“Everything alright there, lass?” Dwalin asked in genuine concern as Carrie nodded, too distracted to answer his question. She glanced once more at Thorin who appeared bothered by what Lord Elrond asked of Gandalf. She heard Thorin murmur a quiet ‘excuse me’ as he scooted his chair back before getting up to walk away. Despite being flustered and angry with Thorin, she could not help but feel bad for him. Being here, she imagined, was hard enough for him. It was the equivalent of her being forced into a locked room with Chris and her classmates.

It made her instinctively rise from her seat until Dwalin placed a hand on her arm again making her sit down. “Don’t worry about him, lass. He may be tough as iron, but he will come around,” Dwalin said in a soft tone as Carrie gave a small nod. She then glanced over at Bilbo, who was too preoccupied in a silent debate on asking Lord Elrond if his sword had a name. It made her tempted to inquire about her own sword, but there was bigger fish to worry about right now. In this case, it was Thorin.

“Yeah well, it’s nothing new when you’ve been tormented and ignored your whole life,” she said as she noticed Balin telling Bilbo to not bother finding out if the sword had a name. She looked at the empty seat where Thorin sat, the worry about his welfare buzzing in her head. She mulled over going after Thorin despite Dwalin’s reassurances. Until Bofur stood on top of the table, singing a song that allowed the opportunity to leave murmuring a quiet ‘excuse me’.

Carrie did her best not to pay attention to some of the elves’ wary looks and whispers as she walked along the halls. Thinking about it would bring her to tears and that’s not what she needed. She took in a shaky breath once she was far away from everyone, thinking about why she got up in the first place to find Thorin. Remembering Dwalin’s words made her stop near a balcony, noticing the cascading light over the towers and serene setting. Did she really care that much-=p[] about Thorin acting horrid toward her? Did it matter to her that badly? She took in another deep breath, shaking her head, not daring to venture on that thought of caring about him, let alone considering him a friend. The last time she cared about someone, they were gone in a blink of an eye because of her rage.

Taking in the view she glanced over the balcony edge to see Thorin standing in the middle of the courtyard with his back facing her. Making sure no one was around she went and stood on top of the balcony railing. She then used her telekinetic powers to slowly descend towards the courtyard. Carrie made sure to get proper footing once she landed, not expecting the stones on the courtyard floor to be smooth.

“Thought you’d be at dinner,” Thorin remarked with his back turned toward her, as Carrie started to catch her balance. Either Thorin got used to Carrie checking up on him, or she was the worst at being subtle. Both were plausible options as she stood there in silence getting over her initial shock.

“Wasn’t that hungry,” Carrie said as she held her arms close to her chest trying to formulate what she needed to say. But what could she say now? For all she knew Thorin could chew her out for tongue lashing him at the entrance of Rivendell. A few seconds of silence passed between them as she gave a small sigh.

“Listen, Thorin about what I said back there, I was out of line,” Carrie began to say as Thorin still had his back toward her. She dared not to move an inch as she assumed it was safe to continue. “I just don’t understand any of this. Why the elves look at me like I’m a ticking bomb, how everyone knows about me being here, and why you won’t even so much as look or talk to me since the trolls. None of this makes sense. And… Maybe I’m wasting my breath trying to explain everything, I don’t know. I just hoped you would be a friend I could come to know. But maybe that’s asking too much of you,” Carrie added as she shook her head and began to turn away.

“The weapon Gandalf gave you. You know how to fight?” Thorin asked as Carrie stopped in her tracks and turned to face him with a confused look on her face. Was this Thorin’s way of apologizing? Especially to explain everything? Either way Carrie did not know what Thorin was getting at as she shook her head in response. Thorin then turned to face her and beckoned her with a slight tilt of his head to follow him to the center of the courtyard.

By the time Carrie did what she was told Thorin drew his sword out, raising it in an effort to prompt Carrie to draw out hers. Carrie continued to have a confused look on her face, wondering where this was going. Thorin began to circle around her. “You have relied a lot on your powers to save you, and us as well. But your powers won’t always help you. You have to be as quick with a blade as you are with your power,” Thorin began to explain as out of the blue he swung his foot under Carrie’s left ankle, causing her to trip and fall flat on her face.

Carrie gave a small hiss in pain thinking this was the most bizarre way of apologizing someone could come up with.

“You have to be prepared for whatever foe you come across, to expect the unexpected, especially when no one will go easy on you in the wild,” Thorin continued. Carrie started to get up, only to have to roll away from Thorin bringing down his sword at her. She barely had time to defend herself before Thorin swung his sword once more.

“Is that why you chose to ignore me? Because you don’t think I can defend myself?” Carrie asked as she dodged Thorin’s attacks. “Because I’m that much of a burden?” she added. She started to swing at Thorin a few times, managing to raise her sword in defense, clashing against Thorin’s with a loud ring. Thorin shook his head as he drew back.

“Far from it” Thorin replied as he started to swing at Carrie’s legs. She managed to jump high enough above the blade, unaided by her telekinesis. However, she lost her footing and almost fell flat on her face again. Once Carrie regained her balance she started to get irritated and swung her foot under his ankle, knocking him down in return. Thorin managed to roll on his back as Carrie pointed her sword at him.

“Then why treat me with kindness one moment, and the other like I’m some nuisance to you,” Carrie said as the sword remained pointed at him. Silence passed between them as Thorin looked stunned by Carrie’s words. Tears came to her eyes, and she finally lifted her sword away from him. She turned and began to walk away until she heard her name being called.

“Because you are like me. Eth Rjoth Maiden… The one who is prophesized to end the beast’s reign,” she heard Thorin say. She stopped in her tracks with her back toward him, speechless. A hand gently grasped hers. Tears filled her eyes as she spun around and hugged him before she could stop herself. If there was a reassurance that this was the beginning of a true friendship, it could not have been more plainly said as she sobbed into his chest and held onto him tightly.

**If you or someone is experiencing a mental health crisis, has experienced severe depression, or has experienced a PTSD episode call the national suicide prevention lifeline (1-800-273-8255), text CONNECT or HOME to the crisis text line at 741741, or call 911**